An Australian court will hear a case brought by Samsung in March, as the smartphone giant seeks to ban the sales of Apple's iPhone 4S in the country.

This comes only a day after Samsung backtracked on a similar case in Korea, thought to be in fear of attracting negative publicity on its home turf. Cases in Italy, France and Japan continue, with Australia set to be the first hearing of the global case.

Samsung has sought to block the sale of Apple's latest smartphone by filing preliminary sales injunction requests in the country. But Justice Annabelle Bennett told the Australian Federal Court in Sydney today that the sale of the Apple smartphone would continue in the meantime.

The case will center on the alleged infringement of three patents, and more than 25 claims, the Guardian reports.

While Apple's lawyers wanted an August hearing, claiming that more time was needed to prepare their case, March instead was set, ruling in favour of Samsung.

Apple and Samsung have been locked in a global legal battle spreading across 10 countries involving smartphone- and tablet-related patents. Confusingly, Apple is Samsung's biggest customer, mostly purchasing microchips and displays for their own devices.

But Samsung has a greater worry to contend with than the outcome to the March ruling.